Latest news with #churchyard
BBC News
4 days ago
- BBC News
Wigan: Stone worth £20k stolen from 19th Century church
Stones stolen from a 19th Century churchyard are expected to cost more than £20,000 to than 50 York sandstones are reported to have been taken from Grade II listed St George's Church in Tyldesley, Wigan, Greater Manchester, in the early hours of Thursday James Fish, who has since set up a fundraising campaign to replace the stones, said the "act of vandalism" had come as the church was celebrating its 200th George's said it was "grateful" for the support of volunteers to "clear up the mess left behind". "One morning a man posted on social media about the incident so I got up and headed to the church straight away," councillor Fish told BBC Radio said thanks to CCTV cameras stationed at local businesses they had managed to identify the vehicle. 'Everyone was gutted' But regardless of whether the people behind the theft were caught, the church would have a hefty price to Fish said: "The retail value of these stones each cost between £120-£150 depending on the size of the stone."I go to a coffee morning every week in the town and the only conversations we had were about how gutted everyone was by what happened."But I know the town will come together to support the church going forward."The church's warden Iain Hodcroft said the damage to the building's "beautiful" yard had been "considerable"."We very much regret the actions of those who have stolen much of the York stones."We are grateful for the support of neighbours, local businesses and local councillor James Fish, along with the many volunteers from the Tyldesley community who have come together to help us." Listen to the best of BBC Radio Manchester on Sounds and follow BBC Manchester on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.
BBC News
09-06-2025
- General
- BBC News
'Neglected' corner of Northampton churchyard transformed
A "once neglected" corner of a churchyard described as an "eyesore" has been renovated and transformed by students and area of St Giles churchyard in Northampton town centre was now a "beautiful and useful space", said Kardi Somerfield from the church's community site had been known to collect litter and attract antisocial benches, five hanging basket posts and a bin were donated from the recent Abington Street improvement works, and were refurbished by students at Northampton College. St Giles Community Group led the project with support from Northampton Business Improvement District (BID).Dr Somerfield said: "What was once an eyesore is now a beautiful and useful space that's already being enjoyed by local residents and visitors."She said volunteers would continue to look after it and it was now "an area we can all be proud of". Mark Mullen, from Northampton BID, said: "This project has been carried out with a real eye on sustainability, by upcycling street furniture from Abington Street and creating attractive new planters that will bring an immediate pop of colour to the garden, while encouraging pollinators to return year on year."Mark Bradshaw, curriculum manager for construction at Northampton College, added: "Having the opportunity to create an attractive, safe and welcoming green space in the heart of the town centre is something we were more than happy to support."It was a brilliant experience for our students, giving them the chance to do real work in the community that they will be able to look back on with a sense of satisfaction for years to come." Follow Northamptonshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Telegraph
08-06-2025
- Business
- Telegraph
Goats deployed to clear overgrown graveyards
An overgrown Welsh churchyard has employed an eco-friendly method to clear gravestones – a herd of hungry goats. The goats are loaned from a nearby business to chew their way through brambles, weeds, and excess foliage at the 13th century church. The animals have been hired by Narberth town council in Pembrokeshire to work at St Andrew's Church and are monitored by GPS so they do not wander off. The council said the goats can provide a natural and chemical-free way of clearing areas and are trialling the method over the next two to three weeks. Locals have been asked not to approach the goats at work, supervise children nearby and keep dogs on leads. A spokesman for the council said: 'Narberth town council is continuing its work to enhance the grounds of St Andrew's Church as part of our ongoing biodiversity and environmental improvement programme. 'These goats will help clear excess growth around gravestones and across the site, enabling us to implement a longer-term ground management plan.' Clynderwen-based company Biogoats 2 Rent also hire the goats out privately to businesses, the national park authority and other churches. A spokesman for the company said: 'Bio Goats is an eco-friendly weed and brush control company. We hire goats out to the private, business, and agricultural sectors. 'Conservation grazing is the eco-friendly way of dealing with invasive weed, brush and knotweed. 'Goats are browsers first so leaves and a good old bramble bush, would be their first go-to, also once seeds have passed through a goat, they are generally non-viable. ' Goats are also generally very friendly and sociable animals so you might also make yourself a friend or two.' Richard White, who runs the business, said the goats are monitored by GPS rather than using collars in a process recently shown on Clarkson's Farm, the Amazon Prime Video series. Mr White said: 'I think he stole the idea from us. We're the only company in the UK to do this. We get inquiries from all over the UK, but the travel costs can make it unviable for customers from further away. 'We enjoy what we do and meet some nice people along the way.'
BBC News
04-06-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Pembrokeshire goats used as eco-friendly lawn mowers in churchyard
Goats have been introduced as an eco-friendly way of keeping a churchyard in shape. Narberth Town Council in Pembrokeshire is trialling using the animals at St Andrew's Church to clear excess growth around gravestones and across the goats come from a business believed to be the only one of its type in the UK which provides the service for the council as well as for a national park and other local goats are kept in their designated areas using GPS satellite technology recently shown on Clarkson's Farm, the farming programme of presenter Jeremy Clarkson. Visitors are being asked to support the scheme by avoiding the grazing goats at work, making sure children are supervised and kept away from them, and by keeping dogs on leads. It is hoped the goats can be used as a natural and chemical-free method of managing overgrown areas and for controlling brambles and invasive welfare checks will be carried out on them to ensure they are healthy, safe, and well cared for throughout their time on site, the town council said. The goats themselves come from Clynderwen-based Biogoats 2 Rent run by Richard White and Dawn Hart, who said the goats were already on site at St Andrew's and are expected to remain there for two to three Hart said they were also used as a sustainable way of clearing selected natural areas on the Robeston Wathen bypass, as well as at Tenby's St Mary's church, with plans to return there later this than using collars, the goats are kept in their designated areas using GPS satellite technology, a process recently shown on Clarkson's Farm."I think he stole the idea from us," joked Mr White, who said: "We're the only company in the UK to do this. We get enquiries from all over the UK, but the travel costs can make it unviable for the customers from further away."We enjoy what we do and meet some nice people along the way." The council said in a statement: "Narberth Town Council is continuing its work to enhance the grounds of St Andrew's Church as part of our ongoing biodiversity and environmental improvement programme."These goats will help clear excess growth around gravestones and across the site, enabling us to implement a longer-term ground management plan."
Yahoo
04-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Church reopens after anti-social behaviour 'reset'
A churchyard in a town centre has reopened after it was forced to close for a month because of anti-social behaviour. St John's the Baptist's Church in the centre of Glastonbury, Somerset, stopped all church-related activities, other than Sunday services and funerals, during May for a "reset". David Smith, churchwarden said it was a "horrible" decision to close but added: "The raised gravestones were being used as shop counters for open drug dealing - that obviously is unacceptable." The decision split opinions in the town but Avon and Somerset Police said the closure was "challenging", but a "necessary" step to protect safety. More news stories for Somerset Listen to the latest news for Somerset The church say they're working with Glastonbury Town Council, local businesses and the Police as the churchyard reopens. Mr Smith continued: "I believe the closure was the reset we needed and we've had good feedback from the public as we reopened." Paul Manning is a town councillor and runs a business just off the High Street and said anti-social behaviour in the town is a "barrier" to tourists. He said: "The businesses at the top end of the High Street suffer because of anti-social behaviour. We need to all work together to address this." It comes after the BBC reported in January that some Glastonbury shop workers said more work needed to be done to crack down on crime and anti-social behaviour. A police spokesperson previously told the BBC: "We have been working closely with representatives from the church and the local authority to combat anti-social behaviour in and around Glastonbury." Dandelion Chalice runs a business in Glastonbury and said it was a "huge shame" to close the churchyard. He said: "I felt it was upsetting to shut a Christian place of worship. "But I understand it as the churchyard was much more peaceful when it was closed. "You can't have people fighting next to families having picnics." Follow BBC Somerset on Facebook and X. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630. Churchyard closes due to anti-social behaviour Calls for more action on crime, despite crackdown
